How to Measure How Much Concrete You Need

Undertaking a construction project means plenty of tasks to manage, some more complex than others. One such job is to calculate how much concrete you need for a particular application. From patios to building foundations and flooring, being accurate with the amount of concrete you order can save time, money and hassle. Order too little concrete and you’ll have to spend more to make up the difference, as well as delaying the project whilst you wait for more concrete to be delivered. If you order too much, you may risk wasting money paying for concrete that you don’t need. Fortunately, there’s a way to get a clear and accurate estimate of how much concrete you need, and that’s with an Online Concrete Calculator.

How do I use a concrete calculator?

On the face of it, all you need to do is enter the length, width and depth of the area where your concrete is going to be poured. However, not every concrete pour is that straightforward – spaces can be uneven or oddly shaped, which means it’s more difficult to measure how much you need. However, this needn’t cause a problem – simply enter your maximum acceptable measurements – this may mean that you are left with a surplus of concrete, but this won’t be an issue if you opt for a company that only charges customers for what they use.

Slabs

To calculate how much concrete you need for a slab, you need to measure the length and width of the slab, as well as the height from the bottom of the slab to the top edge of where you want your concrete to reach.

Footings and trenches

If you need to work out the amount of concrete required for a trench or footing, the first thing you need to do is measure the linear length of the longest side of the trench. You then need to measure the width of the sides of the trench and the height from the bottom of the trench to the top edge of the proposed concrete level.

Fence Posts

Calculating the concrete requirements for fence posts is a little different. You need to measure the radius of the cavity where the fence post will be placed – measure from the centre of the cavity to the edge of it – and also the depth of the cavity from the bottom to the top.

By calculating the amount of concrete you need, you can save yourself money, time and hassle, as well as making the process more straightforward for the concrete company. Whether you’re having a fence installed or you’re ordering concrete to create a swimming pool, a concrete calculator can be an invaluable tool.